As our church makes ready to celebrate Pentecost, I’ve been doing a bit of thinking and praying about the fruit of the Spirit described in the fifth chapter of Galatians.
Several years ago, I led a Bible study on Galatians. When we arrived at the fifth chapter, a woman in the Bible study spoke up. “You know,” she said, “I’ve been needing a new way of looking at the church, and I think I just found it.”
“I’m not sure what you mean,” I said.
“Well,” she continued, “it’s like this: I’ve gotten too comfortable with thinking about the church as an institution–or, even worse, as a spiritual club for the already-convinced. But the book of Galatians gives me a new image that helps me think about the church in a whole new way.”
“What image is that?”
“It’s right here in the fifth chapter,” she said. “The church is a fresh fruit market.”
“A fresh fruit market?”
“Yeah,” she said. “Think about it. The church isn’t an institution. It isn’t a club. It’s a fresh fruit market. It’s a place where the fruit of the Holy Spirit is always on display in the lives of the people.”
I don’t know how you feel about that imagery. Personally, I like it. I find it to be as memorable as it is biblical.
Even as I type these words, I am praying that the Holy Spirit will fall afresh upon your congregation and mine, that we might become the fresh fruit market that Jesus Christ is calling us to be.
“…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22)
I love that imagery as well…but I’d be careful about calling the Church a bunch of fruits in today’s political climate!
Eric…I appreciated your statement in the pre-conference journal. Thank you for making it about ministry…you have my support.
Eric…thank you for your clarification on McIlweb. I agree with you. I am always wary of litmus tests.
By the way…check out my positions for my write in campaign for G.C. They are…well…outside of the mainstream. Just trying to provide a lighter side to such a serious subject.
#673 For G.C. Check it out on RODAZONE.
Hi Eric-
One of the very first ministers I remember paying attention to as a little girl got me into a fit of giggles when he described the church as a fruit cake with a few nuts thrown in!
Peace, my friend!